I've noticed that quite a few carriages I see now have small grey and white rectangular RFID tags bolted to them at approximately platform level - does anyone know what they are used for, and whether they are being rolled out across the whole network (since many trains have them, but lots do not) ? I assume it's something to do with asset tracking....
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
RFID tags on carriages
- Thread starter dbrb2
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
renegademaster
Established Member
They are for cleaners to mark job done I think. At least that's what they are for in lots of offices.
- Joined
- 21 Jan 2010
- Messages
- 5,554
You’re probably going to have to be a bit more specific - what trains have you noticed them on? Where are they? What do they look like - photographs available, perhaps?
This isn't my photo - I couldn't find one immediately - but it is a result of an image search for the kind of thing I have been seeing.
They seem to be mounted at the far end of vehicles. I've seen them on passenger, freight, and network rail trains - but not all of them - so it may be something that is only being rolled out slowly, or perhaps by region, depot, or some other grouping!
They seem to be mounted at the far end of vehicles. I've seen them on passenger, freight, and network rail trains - but not all of them - so it may be something that is only being rolled out slowly, or perhaps by region, depot, or some other grouping!
43096
On Moderation
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 18,740
Or are for use with GOTCHA, HABD, WILD etc lineside equipment to identify the vehicle that has activated the system.
RailAleFan
Member
Lots of them are writable so free storage.
rf_ioliver
Member
- Joined
- 17 Apr 2011
- Messages
- 1,024
Putting my cybersec hat on for a moment....a mixture of yes this will be fun and #WCGW
Ashley Hill
Established Member
I asked a similar question a few years ago. Below is what I was informed at the time.
Some routes are fitted with devices that monitor the wheel bearing harmonic frequency of passing vehicles. Each wheel bearing it seems has a unique harmonic frequency. As a vehicle passes such a detector it identifies the vehicle from the RFID and reads the harmonic frequency of the wheel bearings. Changes in harmonic frequency since the last reading indicates there has been wear in the bearing.
Some routes are fitted with devices that monitor the wheel bearing harmonic frequency of passing vehicles. Each wheel bearing it seems has a unique harmonic frequency. As a vehicle passes such a detector it identifies the vehicle from the RFID and reads the harmonic frequency of the wheel bearings. Changes in harmonic frequency since the last reading indicates there has been wear in the bearing.
ac6000cw
Established Member
This thread I assume - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/mk3-mystery-fitting.235253/
Ashley Hill
Established Member
Yes,I don't know how to quote a whole thread.
ac6000cw
Established Member
A bit off topic (as this is the UK part of the forum) but this is an article about the 'Automatic Equipment Identification' RFID tags long used on over a million rail vehicles in North America - https://www.trains.com/trn/train-basics/abcs-of-railroading/aei-data-tags-and-readers/
Lemmy99uk
Member
- Joined
- 5 May 2015
- Messages
- 559
RFID is an RF (Radio) ID (Identification) Tag. Your Debit/Credit Card most likely has one (See Wireless Credit Card Machines where you just tap your Credit/Debit Card) . They work on 125kHz or 13.something MHz, and transmit their ID [and other data] when a reader is in close proximity. The transmit power output of the reader is just enough for them to power themselves [there is no on-board power]
[They can actually be small enough to put on N-Gauge layouts to identify a train, and they worked fine, but I found this was only true when the power was off! But that's all off topic
]
Last edited:
43096
On Moderation
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2015
- Messages
- 18,740
HABD - Hot Axle Box Detector
WILD - Wheel Impact Load Detector
GOTCHA - company that makes lineside monitoring equipment
Ashley Hill
Established Member
HABD - Hot axle box detector. Measures the temperature of passing axles. If one is unusually warm it alerts the controlling signaller and says which axle in the train it is so it can be examined.
WILD - Wheel impact load detector. Measures the impact forces of damaged wheels.
GOTCHA - Best explained in this link.
Gotcha Monitoring Systems®
Gotcha Monitoring Systems® are installed in several countries and provide our clients with real-time asset management information based on data…
www.railway-technology.com
ac6000cw
Established Member
The passive, fixed-data track-mounted 'balises' used as part of modern cab signalling systems and for things like tilt control on the WCML are basically RFID tags as well - passing trains wirelessly power them up and read the data.
- Status